Improvement in automatic air-cocks for steam-radiators



1. R. NICHOLS.

Automatic Air- Cbck for Steam-Radiators.

No. 129,291. Pa ten ted July 16,1872.

AM, [W070 UT/MGRIPIl/C 60. IV. Y. 05 0RNE'S PROCESS) UNITED STATES JAMES R.NIOHOLS, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN AUTOMATIC AIR-COCKS FOR STEAM'RADIATORS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent'No. 129,291, dated July 16,1872; antedated July 6, 1872.

ator. The usual way of allowing the escape of the air in such radiators is by means of an ordinary cock, which requires .to be manipu lated to prevent the escape of the steam after that of the air. This is objectionable, as each radiator requires the special service of an attendant to operate the cock at the proper moment. My invention 'consistsjn causing a cock or valve to be operated by means of the expansion of a liquid which is volatilized at a low temperature and placed in a hermetically-closed chamber, so as to actuate an elastic diaphragm within the said chamber, and upon which the stem of the valve rests, so that when there is no steam in the radiator the volatile liquid, being cool, will allow the valve to remain open for the escape of the air, but as soon as the steam commences to act on the chamber containing the said liquid the latter at once becomes volatilized, and, by its expansion, moves the elastic diaphragm and forces the valve against its seat, and thus prevents the escape of the steam.

Figure 1 in the drawing represents a globular casein elevation, in which the operative parts of my device are inclosed. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same, showing the operative parts.

The casing a is preferably of globular form, made in two parts, securely attached together and connected to a steam-radiator by means of a pipe, h. In the lower portion of this casing is secured a chamber, 0, in which is placed some liquid which is capable of being volatilized at a sufficiently low temperature-such as ether, ch1or0f0rm, al c0h0l, bisulphide of carb'oTf' or other equivalent substance. This liqui may be introduced through an opening,

g, at the side, and when in the chamber 0 the latter is to be hermetically closed, so as to allow of no possible escape of the liquid. Within the chamber 0, and attached at its edges to tion of the valve-stem is allowed to play through the upper side of the chamber 0. Around the valve-stem is arranged a spiral spring, which serves to press the said stem upon the diaphragm Z, so as tomaintain it in the position shown in Fig. 2, and allow the valve to remain open for the escape of air. The valve-seat is formed in a plug in the upper portion of the globe, and an opening, 70, is made through this plug from the valve-seat to admit of the escape of air. I) .and b are steam-chambers communicating with each other by means of a tube, d, passing through the chamber 0.

The operation is as follows: The position of the parts, as shown in Fig. 2, indicates that there is no steam in the radiator, and the liquid in chamber 0 being in a cool state the diaphragm l is forced down by the spring 8, as shown, leaving the valve e'open. As soon as steam is made in the radiator the air will be forced out through the valve; but as soon as the steam enters the chamber bin the globe it acts upon the chamber 0, and the liquid in said chamber at once volatilizes, and, by expansion, forces up the diaphragm l, and, consequently, closes the valve against the escape of steam, and the valve remains thus closed until the liquid in chamber 0 again becomes cool. The chambercbeinghermetically closed the liquid inclosed therein cannot escape, and the device, therefore, is always ready for operation.

I claim as my invention- 1. The diaphragm I, adjusted and arranged within the chamber 0, when combined with the valx e e and the spring s, in the manner and for the purpose herein described.

2. In com biuation with the foregoing, I claim the conical valve-seat k, in the manner and for the purpose herein described.

' JAMES R. NICHOLS.

Witnesses:

Orms. E. BILLINGS, S. P. SHARPLES. 

